YEAR OF THE FAMILY

Living the Liturgical Year

Celebrating Saints and Feasts to Enrich Hearts and Homes

 Saints Peter and Paul

June 29th – This is the day the Catholic Church celebrates the Martyrdom in Rome of the Apostles Peter and Paul. The celebration is of ancient origin, the date selected being the anniversary of either their death or the translation of their relics. In recent decades, this feast, along with that of Saint Andrew, has been of importance to the modern ecumenical movement as an occasion on which the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople have officiated at services designed to bring their two churches closer to intercommunion. This was especially the case during the pontificate of St Pope John Paul II, as reflected in his encyclical Ut Unum Sint. Saint Augustine’s homily for this solemnity is included in the Liturgy of the Hours on this feast day and concludes with these words of encouragement:

“Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching and their confession of faith.” There is much that could be said about two of the greatest “characters” of our faith which should inspire all of us to delve into the details of their lives through reading and reflection (consider starting with the homily suggested below and let your interest grow from there.) For it is by studying the lives of the Saints that we will learn to live like them; in this life and the next.

 
FEASTING WITH THE SAINTS  
Saints Peter and Paul Avocado Soup
(Adapted from The Monastery Garden Cookbook)
Ingredients: 
3 leeks, white parts only, trimmed and sliced
3 avocados, peeled and sliced in half
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1 teaspoon paprika
salt and pepper to taste
lemon rind as garnish.
Directions:

Place the leeks in a saucepan, cover with 6 cups of water, and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat to medium-low and cook leeks for 15-20 minutes. Remove pan from heat, allow to cool slightly, and then whirl leeks and water in a blender or food processor. Pour the mixture back into the pan or a large bowl. Place the avocados, lemon juice, sour cream paprika, and salt and pepper in the blender or food processor and blend for about 1 minute. Add to the leek mixture and blend all the ingredients well by hand.  Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.  Serve cold and add some lemon rind on the top of each serving as garnish. (Serves 4-6.) Great on a hot summer day!

 
Reading: Saints Peter and Paul: “One wins by cross, and one by sword” A homily by Father Peter M.J. Stravinskas 2018 https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/06/29/saints-peter-and-paul-one-wins-by-cross-and-one-by-sword/
 

 Week Of June 9^th – June 15^th St Anthony of Padua (August 15, 1195, to June 13, 1231)

June 13^th – Anthony was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. He was born and raised by a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, and died in Padua, Italy. Noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scripture, and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick, he was one of the most quickly canonized saints in church history. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on 16 January 1946. He is also the patron saint of lost things. The reason St. Anthony's help is invoked for finding things lost or stolen is traced to an incident that occurred in Bologna. According to the story, Anthony had a book of psalms that was of some importance to him, as it contained the notes and comments he had made to use in teaching his students. A novice who had decided to leave took the psalter with him. Prior to the invention of the printing press, any book was an item of value. Upon noticing it was missing, Anthony prayed it would be found or returned. The thief was moved to restore the book to Anthony and return to the order. The stolen book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna. When his body was exhumed 30 years after his death, it was found turned to dust, but his tongue was found to be glistening and looked as if it were still alive and moist; those involved and church authorities though the centuries have perceived this as a sign of his gift of preaching and never speaking a vulgar or uncharitable word. Consider praying to Saint Anthony for his intercession when responding to others verbally or on social media.
 
FEASTING WITH THE SAINTS

Saint Anthony's Bread
Ingredients:
1 cup warm water

1 cup warm milk
1/2 cup honey
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast (1 packet)
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
 5-6 cups flour

Directions:Combine the warm water, milk, honey and yeast in a medium bowl. Allow the yeast to prove for 5 minutes. It should look bubbly. To your mixer add the yeast mixture, butter, flour and salt. Using your dough hook, knead the dough until combined about 3-5 minutes. Transfer dough to a work surface and shape into a rectangle about 1 inch thick cut into uniformly sized pieces. Form each piece into a ball pinching the seams on the underside making a smooth top. Transfer dough to a greased pan, I use my Cast Iron Pan. Give the rolls a bit of room to rise. Cover and allow to rise about 2 hours in a warm place. Preheat oven to 375. Bake for about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Watching:  Saint Anthony The Miracle Worker of Padua– This is the first major feature length drama on the life of St. Anthony of Padua, the beloved miracle worker and one of the most popular saints in Christian history. Watch it online or buy the DVD.

Reading: St. Anthony: The Wonder-Worker of Padua 2nd Edition by Charles Warren Stoddard. A beautiful, popular life of the Patron of Lost objects, a powerful intercessor, and the favorite saint of Catholics. He was the greatest preacher of the middle ages and one of the finest orators of all time. Find out why he is called the Wonder-Worker and the Hammer of Heretics! Includes the famous stories of St. Anthony and the Christ Child, St. Anthony and the Mule, preaching to the fishes, and more. 126 pages, paper back.